"A GOOD MAN" [2026]
In the short documentary “A Good Man”, the topic of masculinity is explored through the lens of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym in Rotterdam-West, a place where men come together to train, reflect, and connect. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a high-pressure, fast-moving society.
While following everyday training, belt promotions, and the tension of tournaments, the film sketches a quiet contrast between the rougher character of the sport and the softer sides of its practitioners: moments of care, openness, and vulnerability. “A Good Man” does not claim to hold the answers, but shows that there are many ways to become one.
It invites you to step onto the mat and ask yourself: what is your place in society?
While making this film, I explored documentary filmmaking for the first time. I worked mostly as a one-man crew, directing and operating the camera myself. In post-production, however, I had the opportunity to work with and learn from talented people who helped me shape the story and bring the film to life. It was a very cool and collaborative process, and one that taught me a completely new dimension of storytelling.
The film started from a personal curiosity about masculinity and the different ways young men are searching for guidance and identity in today’s society. In this 14-minute film, I question the current discourse around masculinity and the manosphere. While toxic masculinity is often, and rightfully, criticized, it also made me wonder: what does it actually mean to be "A Good Man"?
Martial arts became my way of exploring these questions. It is a highly visual and non-verbal form, allowing something to be expressed without words. At the same time, sport in general offers many men an outlet, a way to channel energy and emotions. One aspect that fascinated me was how role models are deeply embedded in martial arts: through ranks and experience, everyone has someone to look up to, while also becoming an example for others.
The gym I captured was truly special to me, with a unique atmosphere and a strong sense of community, where human connection is prioritized over performance. At its core is the motivation and drive of Brandon, the coach, whose faith is closely tied to his ambition to become a better man.
"A Good Man" was selected for IFFR 2026, where it had its world premiere and screened across several cinemas in Rotterdam. The film is currently continuing its festival run, with several screenings already taking place across the Netherlands. We are still looking for new opportunities to share the film with audiences and continue its journey.
For upcoming screenings and updates about the film, please keep an eye on my social media.
MEDIA
INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES:
• NPO Radio 1 – De Nacht is ZWART
"Kjettil Gerritsen maakt shortdoc "A Good Man" over wat een echte man is"
01/02/2026 – Radio interview
• RTV Rijnmond – Rijnmond Vandaag
"Aflevering 26018"
27/01/2026 – Broadcast feature
• Rotterdam Film Media Office
"RFMO Q&A: Kjettil Gerritsen"
26/01/2026 – Written interview
• Susan Bijl – What we like
"SUSAN BIJL voor IFFR: Film en Design"
25/01/2026 – Article feature
• WdKA – Stories
"Alumni Work: IFFR RTM 2026"
23/01/2026 – Article feature
• OPEN Rotterdam
"Rotterdam op het grote doek: RTM-dag brengt lokale verhalen naar LantarenVenster tijdens IFFR"
14/01/2026 – Article feature
• De Havenloods
"Deze 7 IFFR-films uit Rotterdam en omgeving wil je zien"
06/01/2026 – Article feature
FILM DATABASES:
• SEE NL
• Letterboxd
• MUBI
• Film Platform Rotterdam
• Labocine
• IMDb
• Festival Scope Pro
• Movie Meter
• FilmVandaag
• aflow
• Moirée
• TMDB
• filmek
• ACMODASI
• Vurchel
SCREENINGS
PUBLIC:
• Halte Charlois
Charlois Film Festival
Subway Pool Centrum
Rotterdam, Netherlands
03/10/2026
• Wildeburg Festival
BamboeBios
Kraggenburg, Netherlands
11/07/2026 – 12/07/2026
• Arteffects Film Festival Arnhem
AFFA Programme
Rozet
Arnhem, Netherlands
08/05/2026
• Luxor Theater
Zutphen, Netherlands
14/03/2026
• International Film Festival Rotterdam
RTM Programme
LantarenVenster – Podium Islemunda – Pathé Schouwburgplein
Rotterdam, Netherlands
30/01/2026 – 05/02/2026 – 07/02/2026
World Premiere
PRIVATE:
• Roffa Mon Amour
Educational Programme
Albeda College
Rotterdam, Netherlands
24/03/2026 – 25/03/2026 – 26/03/2026
• International Film Festival Rotterdam
IFFR x Gemeente Rotterdam: Verbinden en Verbeelden
KINO
Rotterdam, Netherlands
03/02/2026
• International Film Festival Rotterdam
IFFR Education x WdKA
LantarenVenster
Rotterdam, Netherlands
03/02/2026
• Preview Screening
Big Barraco Reveal
Barraco BJJ
Rotterdam, Netherlands
18/07/2025
Pre-Premiere
CREDITS
CAST:
Brandon Michael Junior Smith
Nuri Bilgin
Semih Altuntas
Luiz Ribeiro
Israfil Kusdiriswanto
Osman Beslie
Fendi Bilgin
Mikail
Rodny Jonathan Smith
Thomas Heuijerjans
Owen van Broekhoven
Viktor Kos
Isaiah da Conceição Santos Delgado
Lisa Grooten
Frank Wijnhoven
Liza
Kadir Yavas
Victor Ritter
David Baird
Guido Visser
Arbnor Rama
Khalil Mammadov
Noah Lima Linnenbank
Malcolm Alemawor
Saïd Talbi
Abel de Vroege
Rafik El Yauoubi
Sander Linnenbank
Danny
Justen Ang
Daniël Boers
Abdullah
Serhat Uz
Ibrahim Hajji
Alptuna Senyürek
Mehmet Akif Kumas
Arfan Nazir
Mert
Christiaan de Graaf
Muhammed Kazim Salih Doga
Olivier van Holthe tot Echten
Hasib Shirbaz
Wessel
Jan Marco van der Poel
Yaren Çalik
Raoul Kariem
Rashied Ilahi
Jop van Haaff
Tevfik Toprak
Shaquell van Ommeren
CREW:
Writer, Director, Producer, Camera Operator, Sound Recordist – Kjettil Gerritsen
Production Assistant – Iga Wojak
Editors – Alanis Neva Bani & Kjettil Gerritsen
Editing Guidance – Anna Witte & Sid Zeno Duit
Colorist & Stills Photographer – Alexander Dragomirov
Composer – Boaz van Dongen
Sound Designer & Mixer – Agamemnon Maziotis Vasileiou
DCP Creation – Storm Post Production
Poster & Title Designer – Annabel Bakkum
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Barraco BJJ
London Fight Factory
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)
Mevlana Moskee Rotterdam
Jelmer van Son
Suus van der Geest
Lucas Baars
Arif Abdillah
Finn van den IJssel
Zuzanna Sieradzka
Joost van der Valk
Lulu Linders
Tijmen Snoep
Mette Steenbergen
Koert Davidse
Terra Alan
Houwert Veerkamp
Femke Hemelaar
